Can a Form I-129 E-3 petition go through Premium Processing Service?
No.
The candidate employee may apply for and receive an E-3 visa from a foreign U.S. consulate without needing a USCIS petition.
Can the spouse of an E-3 principal alien be employed in the U.S.?
Yes. However, the spouse must file Form I-765 with USCIS for employment authorization (Application for Employment Authorization).
Does E-3 status hold the effective equivalence of permanent residence to the U.S. for an Australian citizen?
E-3 status must be renewed two-yearly, but the number of permitted renewals is currently unlimited.
If it is the employer’s belief that a person will have to reside in the U.S. for a prolonged period of time, they should strongly consider sponsoring a permanent residency process.
Is the number of E-3 visas issued every year limited?
Yes, there is a cap of 10,500 E-3 visas per fiscal year. Nevertheless, since the E-3 visa program commenced in 2005, that limit has never been reached.